German politicians urged to take clear stand against far-right AfD

By Cuneyt Karadag and Erbil Basay

BERLIN (AA) - Germany’s democratic parties must take a clear stand against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and reject any cooperation with right-wing populists, experts have told Anadolu.

The Eurosceptic and anti-immigrant AfD has significantly increased its vote share in recent years, and has become the country’s second-biggest party, polling around 17% in the latest polls.

Safter Cinar, a German-Turkish political observer, has warned that some mainstream politicians are making a grave mistake by adopting narratives of the far-right in a bid to win over voters, instead of taking a clear stance.

“When far-right parties are polling better, some mainstream political parties are beginning to think that they can attract voters by adopting a similar political discourse. No, the opposite happens,” Cinar said.

He underlined that when conservative parties like the Christian Democrats (CDU) begin echoing the ideas and narratives of the right-wing populists, this brings them little support from the voters of the far-right.

“An AfD voter would not change his or her mind and go to the CDU. On the contrary, he or she would say, my party was right, other parties have also started to acknowledge this,” Cinar told Anadolu.

- Far-right exploits economic woes

The AfD first entered the German parliament in 2017, winning 12.6% of the vote, while in the 2021 federal elections it won 10.4%. In recent years, the party's vote share has nearly doubled, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the coalition government's policies, and fears of an economic downturn.

Cinar said the failures of Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his coalition government in addressing major social and economic problems have played into the hands of far-right politicians, and contributed to the rise of the AfD in recent years.

“Instead of focusing on solving the socio-economic problems, the government moves to buy €100 billion ($108 billion) worth of weapons. Then they say 'we don't have the money' for social policies,” Cinar said.

“In combatting the far-right, measures against racist propaganda, mainstream parties distancing themselves from such narratives is important. But the main thing is to improve social policies, employment, and enable people to live in better, humane conditions,” he stressed.

- Mass protests against AfD

The recent revelations in the media about the AfD’s hidden agenda, its secret plans for the mass expulsion of immigrants, have heightened concerns in the country over the rise of right-wing extremism.

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent weeks to protest the AfD, calling on politicians to take a stronger stance against the xenophobic and racist propaganda of the right-wing populists.

The protests brought together different political groups and initiatives, including liberals, social democrats, and conservatives, as well as rights groups, trade unions, and youth movements.

Karl Kopp, a social scientist from the Pro Asyl rights group, said recent demonstrations against the AfD were extremely important to defend the freedoms, and democratic system in Germany.

“Right-wing extremism in Germany and Europe has been a major threat for years. There is a great danger that right-wing populist parties could come to power in individual EU member states,” he told Anadolu.

Kopp said the recent protests were also a reminder for mainstream, conservative politicians to take a clear stance, and reject any cooperation with the far-right AfD.

“Politicians must act in a responsible way, should be careful in their political rhetoric. If they repeat the narratives of right-wing populists, serve their agenda, at the end of the day, people will not vote for them, but for the original. Thereby strengthening the enemies of democracy,” he said.

In recent years, prominent members of the far-right party have sparked controversy with anti-immigrant, antisemitic, and Islamophobic remarks. Critics accuse the AfD of encouraging xenophobia and anti-Muslim racism in Germany.

A poll published by Forsa on Tuesday found 17% of Germans plan to vote for the AfD and remained the second-strongest party after the conservative CDU/CSU bloc (30%).

The latest poll showed Chancellor Scholz's Social Democrat Party (SPD) at 14%, while its coalition partner, the Greens, was at 15% and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP), the junior coalition partner, at 5%.